Last updated: Fri, 16 Apr 2010 20:34:00
It is now Sun, 19 Sep 2010 06:41:14
Last updated: Fri, 16 Apr 2010 20:34:00
It is now Sun, 19 Sep 2010 06:41:14
[kuch-1004a234d15.jpg] Kumbi spot checks, 2, 3, 4 April 2010
When a dog has an infection, AND is on antibiotics, we can expect blood glucose levels (BGs) to fluctuate.
I took daily readings for about a week, checking, when normally I wouldn't have subjected Kumbi to testing. My concern was to avoid a hypoglycemic episode. The chart here contains spot-check readings for three consecutive days, beginning the morning after I first gave Kumbi his Chinese herbs - the ones that might lower his insulin requirements.
Sure enough; his glucose levels on Friday, 2 April 2010 were dramatically lower than they useually are.
Therefore, I cut his morning insulin dose sharply, from 7.5 international units of Novolin-NPH insulin to 6.0 units. That's a large cut!
In mid-afternoon, his glucose level was again dramatically low, down pretty well as far as I ever want to see it - or, as my vet wants to see it! Though not dangerous, yet, we wouldn't want it lower. So, we have no "wiggle-room," as the denizens of various forums on diabetic dogs call it.
Here are the basics of adjusting insulin doses.
It takes at least three days on the same dose of insulin, before we can begin to assess properly how the dog's body is using it. After a week on the same dose, we get a more accurate picture. After two weeks, we really have a good idea of how that particular dose is working for the dog.
Therefore, it's not recommended to change insulin doses more often than at LEAST weekly; and preferably, we'd stay with the same dose for two weeks. Then we'd base a change of dose on a full day of testing glucose levels at least every two hours.
A wonderful source for those whose veterinarians don't explain and instruct in great detail, as mine do, is the k9diabetes online forum. (If you go there, you will need to use your browser's Back button to return here)
There is ONE exception to the principle that we do not change insulin doses more often than, at the very least, three days, better, one week, and better yet, two weeks. That is, when measuring glucose levels shows them running too low for comfort. At such a time, it is wise to cut the dose. It's safer to run at higher than at lower glucose levels. It takes a while for high glucose levels to cause serious problems, but running the levels too low can kill - quickly!
Detailed information about how all this works is available on the k9diabetes online forum, and on its accompanying web site.
I monitored Kumbi's glucose levels for nine days straight. This was too much for him.
Finally, consulting with my vet, I decided to stop testing altogether for a time. I can always do a spot-check if I suspect Kumbi's glucose is dropping too low. As I write this, on Wednesday, 14 April 2010; I've resisted the temptation to test again, since this past Saturday.
It takes at least two days for stresses that raise cortisol levels to subside to something like normal. Well, sure enough, after two days with no tests at all, though Kumbi was watching me closely, and disappearing out the dog door or into the back room, when he thought I MIGHT approach him with that meter, he's beginning to relax, and in general, is looking much better now!
This page is dedicated to Forbin.
And, as always, I expect updates will follow - somewhere!
